One of the world’s top heavyweight prospects, Marcin Tybura, will make his debut this Sunday. The former M-1 Challenge champion will meet hard-hitting Timothy Johnson on the main card of UFC Fight Night 86, headlined by Ben Rothwell and Junior dos Santos. Considering the high finish rate of both fighters, this one’s unlikely to go to the bell.
Bet on UFC Fight Night 86 odds at BookMaker.eu
Heavyweights
Marcin Tybura vs. Timothy Johnson
ODDS COMING SOON!
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker are updated daily. Check the sportsbook for the latest latest betting additions.
THE STAKES
It would be a shame for a highly prized signee like Tybura to stall in just his first fight. Still, at 30 years old, he’s relatively young for the heavyweight division. And considering his status as a champ in a well-known European promotion, he’ll have a decent amount of leash to adjust. Ideally, he’d make waves right away.
Johnson looks like one of those castoff heavyweights the UFC calls to fill a card, and he still pretty much is at this point. Despite an impressive 9-2 record, he’s yet to record a notable victory. Beating Tybura would mark the biggest win of his career, but he’d need a few more wins to justify a top-15 opponent.
FIGHT ANALYSIS
This is an interesting bout between two big men with well-rounded skills. Tybura has finishes in 11 of his 13 wins, with five KOs and six SUBs. Johnson has earned stoppages in all of his nine career victories, with five KOs and four SUBs. On paper, they should be relative equals.
However, there is a big difference in physical stature. Tybura is a relatively lean at 6’3”, 250 pounds, while Johnson is a hefty 265 pounds at the same height. The Pole looks in better shape, and he well-known for his cardio. Johnson can get through three rounds, but we’ve seen him labor late.
Tybura has decent athleticism and moves well for a big guy. His striking is rudimentary at best, and it’s all a setup for his wrestling. Which makes sense, because his top game is smothering. He’s not big on ground-and-pound, but his top control grinds opponents down quickly. From there, he’s an expert in finding submissions.
PREDICTION
The UFC odds at BookMaker accurately reflect the difference in talent. All of Tybura’s fights follow the same blueprint: clinch, bodylock, takedown, control. I largely expect the same here against Johnson, who does not possess the skill or stamina to stop the cycle for three straight rounds. The American is good enough to fend off submissions, so he should be able to make it to the final bell. However, Tybura is going to hold him down until it rings.
TYBURA UD JOHNSON
BET ON UFC FIGHTS NOW
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! You can even wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Money lines, totals, props and money line are all available now. UFC Fight Night 86 takes place on April 10, 2016 at the Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia. The card will be televised on Fox Sports 1 starting 2 p.m. ET
